Felton and Rudolph, just 2 of the success stories of the 2012 season

As each season begins I am so hopeful the Vikings can go to the Super Bowl. If the team does not make it I love to see how many Vikings can get a Pro Bowl invite. As each camp comes and goes and the position battles are fought and won you just never know who will make the Pro Bowl in the end.

The Vikings were represented well in Hawaii.  Two of the players that made it were a pleasant surprise to me. Is this the start for these two to get more respect in the league?

Jerome Felton

Felton came into Minnesota as a free agent in 2012 and made the team beating out such players as Ryan D’Imperio and Lex Hilliard. He not only made the team but became a huge part of the success the Vikings had in the running game. I can remember the days of Naufahu Tahi  as the lead back from 2006-2010. It never seemed to be a go. Peterson did not seem to like this method but last year things changed for the better.

Felton not only made the Pro Bowl but scored a touchdown and scored again in the offseason by signing a 3 year contract for 7.5 million dollars. What a winning year for this free agent. Who would have known this success was coming. A compliment to the Vikings organization for finding Felton as a free agent and keeping him for 3 more seasons in Purple.

 

 42-Jerome Felton

 

Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph might be one of the best finds in the draft in quite some time. He is 6’6” and weighs 258 along with monstrous hands that will be huge every game.

Let’s look at his improvement:

2012     Rec    Targets    Yards     TD’s

              26      39            249           3

2013     Rec    Targets    Yards     TD’s

               53     93             493          9

What an improvement and only 23 years old. Do we have a star in the making or what? If this can guy can stay healthy the sky is the limit.

Rudolph gets am invite to the Pro Bowl and all he does Is bring home the MVP trophy. The NFL linebackers and defensive backs had better get ready for a headache for years to come.

    82-Kyle Rudolph

 

 

 

 

Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway, Blair Walsh, Jared Allen and Matt Kalil made it as well. It was a great year both record wise and individual honors. Love my Vikings

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Next up:  A look at 2 rookies who made the Pro Bowl. How will year 2 treat them?